be seen the boundless Desert, the
crescent moon casting a pale light over the scene.

As Siddy Boo Cassem knew that Ben could not understand him, even had he
been, as he supposed, near at hand, he and his friends spoke in loud
tones; every now and then indulging in a chuckling laugh at each other's
wit, or at the recollection of some scene in which they had been
engaged. I listened attentively, endeavouring to catch all they said.
Much of their conversation was not very edifying, but I became all
attention when Siddy Boo Cassem began to talk of his famous camel, and
to boast of his deads.

"Curses on the mother who bore them!" he exclaimed. "The rogues would
like to have him again, if they knew how near he was to them; but I will
take good care that none of their tribe scour again over the plain on
his back. He is not likely to remember his old haunts, or the masters
who owned him, or I should not have brought him so near them again."

"How did you obtain him, O friend of the Prophet?" asked one of the
party.

"As wise men obtain what they desire and cannot otherwise get," answered
Siddy Boo Cassem. "I stole him. I heard the report of his swiftness,
and determined to become his master. At that time I possessed two fine
black slaves, nimble of foot, and cunning in all their ways. Mounted on
a fleet steed, of black hue, in case I should have to beat a retreat,
and accompanied by my two slaves, I approached the camp an hour after
midnight. One of the slaves had also visited the camp some days before,
that he might ascertain where the Bu Saef was wont to be tethered; and I
had promised him his liberty should we succeed. I remained behind a
ruined wall, through which I had a view of the camp. Anxiously I
watched, till in less than an hour I distinguished through the gloom the
shadowy figure of the longed-for camel coming across the plain towards
me. I already felt that he was mine, and could scarcely refrain from
galloping forward to meet him. He reached the ruins, the faithful lad
leading him; but just at the moment I was mounting on his back a party
of horsemen were seen issuing from the camp. Alee threw himself upon my
horse, while I gave Bu Saef the rein. Fleet as the wind he flew over
the plain. A shriek reached my ears; my slave had received his
death-blow. A shot followed; neither Alee nor my black horse did I ever
see more. But I had obtained the object of my desire, at the price of a
horse and t